San Francisco surgeon John Maa successfully petitioned California Secretary of State Debra Lynn Bowen to recount ballots in parts of Los Angeles County to see if California’s barely-defeated Proposition 29 might swing the other way.

Unofficial ballot results show the $1-per-pack cigarette tax initiative to fund cancer research lost in June by fewer than 30,000 votes out of more than 5 million cast statewide.

Maa, a member of the American Heart Association, requested a recount of 190 voter precincts in Sherman Oaks and North Hollywood on Monday, according to the Associated Press.

Jim Knox, who was the spokesperson for the official “Yes on Prop. 29” campaign said he was as surprised by this as anyone.

“The recount was requested by an individual supporter of Proposition 29 without any consultation with the campaign or any of its organizational sponsors,” said Knox.

Los Angeles registrar Dean Logan said the recount will begin Monday with an electronic tally before a manual count at midweek.

According to state law, any registered voter can request a recount after official results are announced, but any ensuing recount must be paid for by the person making the request unless the recount changes the outcome, which would then shift the cost on to taxpayers.